Microsoft encourages Office PWAs, which could change the way you work with applications

Microsoft is powering a new way to use Office apps on your computer: progressive web apps (PWA). PWAs are web-based applications that run in your browser, but can also be installed on your device and work offline. They offer a fast, secure and lightweight alternative to traditional mobile or desktop applications.

Why is Microsoft promoting PWAs for Office? One reason is that they can provide a consistent and seamless experience across different platforms and devices. Whether you use Windows, Mac, Linux, Android or iOS, you can access the same Office PWAs with the same features and functionality. There is no need to download or update anything as PWAs are always updated with the latest version.

Another reason is that PWAs can save you storage space and improve the performance of your device. Unlike mobile or desktop apps, PWAs do not take up much space on your hard drive or memory. They also do not run in the background or consume resources when you are not using them. This can make your device faster and more responsive.

How can you use Office PWAs? It is easy. You just need to visit the Office website (office.com) in your browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. You'll see a list of available Office apps, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and more. You can click on any app to launch it in a new tab, or you can install it on your device by clicking the “…” icon and selecting “Install app.” Once installed, you can access the app from the Start menu or home screen, like any other app.

What are the benefits of using Office PWAs? These are some of the advantages:

– You can work online or offline. You can create, edit, and save documents in the cloud when you're online or on your device when you're offline. You can also sync your files between devices and access them from anywhere.

– You can collaborate with others in real time. You can share documents with others and co-author them simultaneously. You can also chat, comment and track changes within the app.

– You can personalize your experience. You can choose which apps to install and which to use on the web. You can also pin your favorite apps to your taskbar or dock for quick access.

– You will be able to enjoy greater security and privacy. PWAs use HTTPS encryption and sandboxing to protect your data and prevent malicious attacks. They also respect your browser settings and permissions, so you have control over the information you share.

Office PWAs are not intended to completely replace desktop or mobile apps, but rather to complement them and offer more options to users. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can use Office PWAs alongside or instead of other Office applications. Microsoft encourages users to try Office PWAs and see how they can change the way you work with applications.

Microsoft is reportedly installing Office PWA on some Windows Insiders devices without their consent. This is a questionable move that we hope doesn't affect regular users, but it also raises the question of what Office PWAs are and how they can be useful.

PWAs, or Progressive Web Apps, are web-based apps that can run on any device and offer some native app features such as offline access, notifications, and shortcuts. They are designed to be fast, reliable and attractive. Office PWAs are essentially web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office apps that you can access from your browser or install on your device.

Why would you want to use Office PWA? Well, they have some advantages over traditional Office applications. On the one hand, they are always up to date and do not require installation or updating. They also take up less space on your device and can sync with your Microsoft account and OneDrive. They can work offline and allow you to edit documents without an Internet connection. And they are compatible with most browsers and platforms, so you can use them on any device.

Of course, Office PWAs also have some limitations. They do not have all the features and functionality of mobile or desktop Office applications. They may not work well with complex or large files. They may not support some formats or integrations you need. And they may not offer the same level of security and privacy as native apps.

Therefore, Office PWAs are not intended to replace Office applications, but rather to complement them. They can be useful for quick tasks, simple edits, or working on the go. They can also be a good option for users who don't have a Microsoft 365 subscription or who prefer a web-based solution.

If you are interested in trying Office PWAs, you can visit office.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. You can then access the web versions of the Office apps and choose to install them as PWAs if you want. You can also uninstall them at any time if you don't like them.

However, if you're not interested in Office PWAs, you should be able to opt out if Microsoft decides to install them on your device. We hope that Microsoft respects users' choices and preferences and doesn't force them to use something they don't want or need.

If you're looking for a way to access Microsoft 365 apps (formerly known as Office 365) without installing anything on your PC, you might want to try a PWA. A PWA, or Progressive Web App, is essentially a web page that acts as an app and can be pinned to the Windows 10 Start menu. You can use Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as PWAs and enjoy the same features and functionalities than the desktop versions.

Why use a PWA instead of a desktop app? Well, there are some benefits to using a PWA. First of all, you don't need to download or update anything. The PWA runs in the cloud and always has the latest version. Secondly, you don't have to worry about compatibility or storage space issues. The PWA works on any device and browser that supports it and doesn't take up space on your hard drive. Third, you can seamlessly switch between online and offline modes. The PWA can work offline and sync your changes when you reconnect to the Internet.

Of course, using a PWA also has some drawbacks. For example, you may experience some performance issues or lags if your Internet connection is slow or unstable. You may also miss out on some features or integrations that are only available in desktop apps. And you may have some security or privacy concerns about storing your data in the cloud.

Ultimately, the choice between using a PWA or a desktop app depends on your personal preferences and needs. I personally use both depending on the situation. Sometimes I create new documents in my local copy of Word and save them to my hard drive, and sometimes I use the online version of Word and save them to OneDrive. I find both options offer me a similar user experience and convenience.

If you want to try using Microsoft 365 apps as PWAs, here's how you can do it. First, open your browser (I recommend using Edge) and go to office.com. Sign in with your Microsoft account and select the app you want to use. Then, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select Apps > Install this site as an app. Give the app a name and click Install. You should see the app icon appear on the taskbar and Start menu. Now you can launch the app from there and use it as a PWA.